President Tufan Erhürman addresses the Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States held in Kazakhstan
President Tufan Erhürman addressed the Informal Summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) held in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, on Friday.
The event was held in Turkistan, regarded as the spiritual capital of the Turkic World, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development”.
Prior to the summit, President Erhürman and the other Heads of State toured the Azret Sultan Museum and visited the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.
Following the official welcoming ceremony for the Heads of State, a family photograph was taken, followed by the capsule placement ceremony for the Turkic Civilisation Centre and a presentation on GovTech digital solutions.
President Erhürman was welcomed by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of
Kazakhstan, prior to the start of the summit.
The summit was also attended by President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, İlham Aliyev; the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov; the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Secretary General of the OTS, H.E. Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev.
The full address of President Erhürman at the summit reads as follows:
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Distinguished Participants,
I am deeply honored to be with you here in Turkistan, the spiritual capital of the Turkic world. I extend my gratitude to the kindred Republic of Kazakhstan, which is hosting this meaningful summit, and to President Tokayev.
As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we take great pride in being a part of the Organisation of Turkic States. Our acceptance as an observer member within the Organisation at the 2022 Samarkand Summit marked a significant turning point for the Turkish Cypriot people.
On this occasion, I would like to thank all kindred states that supported the TRNC’s accession to the Organisation of Turkic States. This solidarity is not merely a diplomatic support; it is also a powerful message of solidarity demonstrating that the Turkish Cypriot people are not alone. Drawing inspiration from Khoja Ahmed Yasawi - as we all know - where there is unity, there is peace and prosperity.
The consultations held here today under the theme of “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development” hold great significance not only for technological transformation but also for shaping our shared future. In this context, we believe that even stronger collaboration can be established under the umbrella of the Organisation of Turkic States. We aspire to further strengthen our relations in every field.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has the potential to serve as a key hub that can bring this unity together with the Eastern Mediterranean, thanks to its young and dynamic population, higher education capacity, and strategic geographical location.
As is well known, higher education, alongside tourism, is the backbone of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We do not regard higher education merely as an economic sector. Higher education is also one of the driving forces that enables the Turkish Cypriot people to integrate with the international community and interact with different peoples and cultures, serving as one of the strongest bridges we have built with the world.
Today, there are a total of 23 universities actively operating in our country. These universities host 19 Engineering Faculties, as well as Technology Parks—one at the Middle East Technical University, one of Türkiye’s most prominent universities, and the other at the Eastern Mediterranean University, the oldest university in the TRNC—demonstrating significant capacity in scientific research, technologic development, and human resources.
Approximately 40,000 international students from over 100 different countries are currently studying at our universities. These students not only acquire academic knowledge but also make a significant contribution to the cultural diversity, social life, and international visibility of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
We also consider it extremely valuable that the number of international students from member and observer countries of the Organisation of Turkic States is increasing by the day. In addition to students from Türkiye, 829 students from Kazakhstan, 466 from Azerbaijan, 259 from Kyrgyzstan, and 152 from Uzbekistan are currently studying in our country.
With your support, we are determined to further advance academic cooperation between our universities, student exchange programs, joint research projects, and technology-focused initiatives in the coming period. Bringing our young people together in joint technology programs, research centers, innovation platforms, and artificial intelligence projects will undoubtedly help us take our unity into the future in an even stronger manner.
Esteemed Presidents,
Distinguished participants,
The Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to unjust isolation for many years. The restrictions we face in all areas of life—including science, sports, culture, economy, trade, transportation, and international relations—amount to a limitation of a people’s fundamental human rights as a whole. Yet, as a people who have internalised universal values such as human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Turkish Cypriots have consistently and clearly demonstrated their will for a solution and reconciliation aimed at achieving a fair and lasting solution on the island.
In the Annan Plan referendums held simultaneously on both sides in 2004, the strong will of our people in favor of a solution clearly demonstrated that the isolation and restrictions imposed had no legitimate justification. Indeed, this situation was noted in statements made at the time by the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the UN Secretary-General.
To serve as an example, I would like to quote the following statements:
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, regarding the results of the said referendums, expressed in his report submitted to the Security Council on May 28, 2004, the following:
“The Turkish Cypriot vote has undone any rationale for pressuring and isolating them. I would hope that the members of the Council can give a strong lead to all states to cooperate both bilaterally and in international bodies, to eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development.”
In its decision dated April 26, 2004, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union by stating that, “The Council is determined to put an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots,” called upon the European Commission to prepare the necessary legal framework to this end.
This was followed by Resolution No. 1376 adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, dated April 29, 2004: “The international community, in particular, the Council of Europe and the European Union, cannot ignore or betray the expressed desire of the majority of Turkish Cypriots for greater openness and should take rapid and appropriate steps to encourage it. The Turkish Cypriots’ international isolation must cease.”
Indeed, following this process, the Turkish Cypriot side first obtained observer member status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 2005, and subsequently in the Economic Cooperation Organisation in 2012. The observer membership status we currently hold within the Organisation of Turkic States is a natural continuation of this legitimate basis.
Similarly, during the negotiations held in Crans-Montana in 2017, the Turkish Cypriot side and Türkiye demonstrated a strong commitment to a solution. This fact is well known by the international community. Therefore, despite all the constructive efforts and sincere commitment to a solution demonstrated by the Turkish Cypriots today, subjecting them to continued isolation is unacceptable.
In this context, the solidarity shown by friendly and kindred nations with the Turkish Cypriot people on this legitimate basis is not only a necessity of our kindred bonds but will also make a significant contribution to the efforts to find a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriots remain committed to the will for a solution and continue their search for a solution alongside the Guarantor power, Türkiye. For us, diplomacy, dialogue, and the pursuit of lasting stability, cooperation, a solution, and peace on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean are fundamental.
Throughout all these stages, the support of the Organisation of Turkic States and of you all is of great importance to us. As I have previously stated, there is a very strong and legitimate basis, supported by the decisions and statements of international organisations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Council of Europe, for friendly and kindred nations to engage in solidarity and cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in scientific, sporting, cultural, economic, academic, technological, and similar fields. In this context, we believe that much stronger collaborations can be established under the umbrella of the Organisation of Turkic States and we aspire to further strengthen our relations in every field.
The Eastern Mediterranean region, where the TRNC is located, is a strategic shared living space that brings together different peoples, cultures, and civilisations. We believe that this region should become a geography of cooperation, mutual respect, shared prosperity, lasting stability, and peace—not one of tension and exclusionary policies.
Inclusive collaborations to be developed across numerous sectors—from energy to trade, transportation to digital connectivity, higher education to tourism—will bring stability and prosperity not only to the island of Cyprus but to the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
With this understanding, as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we are ready to actively contribute to the work of the Organisation of Turkic States, to serve as a bridge between friendly and kindred nations and the Eastern Mediterranean, and to make every possible contribution to the vision of technological transformation, cooperation, and our shared future.
As I conclude my remarks, I would like to once again express my gratitude to President Tokayev and the people of Kazakhstan for their gracious hospitality. I hope this meaningful summit will further strengthen our unity and solidarity, and I wish for the common future of our kindred peoples to be built on the foundations of peace, prosperity, and cooperation.
In concluding my remarks, I extend to you, to the friendly and kindred peoples of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan the assurances of my highest consideration and my most sincere appreciation.